Delhaize Sees Weak First Half

Delhaize executives said last week they expect a series of initiatives in the U.S. to help boost earnings 6% to 8% in the second half of the year, despite weak expectations for the first half. Wall Street remained skeptical, however, with the stock taking a heavy hit last week after the company said net income for the first quarter, which ended March 30, fell 4.7% to $161.6 million (U.S.)

BRUSSELS — Delhaize executives here said last week they expect a series of initiatives in the U.S. to help boost earnings 6% to 8% in the second half of the year, despite weak expectations for the first half.

Wall Street remained skeptical, however, with the stock taking a heavy hit last week after the company said net income for the first quarter, which ended March 30, fell 4.7% to $161.6 million (U.S.) and sales dropped 4.5% to $6.9 billion. (At identical exchange rates, Delh